Oscar De Marcos “If We Keep Fighting We Can Qualify For Europe”

Sunday’s trip to Real Valladolid didn’t go the way Athletic had hoped. The Lions had a chance to move 6 points clear of the competition for 7th place, but fell 1-0 and will now have to get positive results in the final two games of the season to qualify for Europe. After the match Oscar De Marcos admitted that Valladolid had more energy and that was the deciding factor at Zorrilla.

“They had much more intensity than we did. That meant that they were better in the first half. They were superior and we weren’t able to equal it. We only had one very clear chance in the first half, but we had several in the second half. An opportunity escaped us.”

Despite the defeat, De Marcos still believes that the Lions can secure a top 7 finish. “If we keep fighting we can qualify for Europe”, he said. “There is very little left of the season and we are in the final stretch. We will play in front of our fans in the next match and we have to go for everything. It’s time to give our best for our fans for all we have suffered during this season. If we win against Celta the situation will improve.” A win victory on Sunday has not become absolutely necessary for European qualification.